Random Memories of K.V.

The man who fed my adodescent imagination has died.

In 1975, if you asked me who my favorite writers were, I would have said, “Kurt Vonnegut and John Steinbeck”.

Many of the hours I spent holed up in my bedroom were devoted to devouring anything written by Kurt Vonnegut or John Steinbeck. I loved Steinbeck’s vivid writing, but I also knew that after I read his books, that’s all there was. Steinbeck was dead.

On the other hand, Kurt Vonnegut was very much alive and causing trouble. His quirky style, the bizzarre worlds he created — there would be more. All I had to do was to wait for the next book, or the next essay.

Somewhere, in my stash of stuff, I have a copy of his essay on how to write. I remember when the essay first came out, one of a series of articles by famous people written for some paper company, if I remember correctly. The advice was so logical, and so full of his own style. It left an impression.

Years later as I was growing into the role of technical writer, I discovered that Vonnegut had been a technical writer at General Electric. And hated it. On my worst professional days, I still think, “Vonnegut did this to make a living for a while. I can do it too.”

While I was waiting for Rachel’s referral in 2001-2002, this quote from God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater would often pop into my mind:
“Hello, Babies. Welcome to earth. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It’s round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you have about a hundred years here. There’s only one rule that I know of —
God damn it, babies, you’ve got to be kind. “

It always gave me comfort, in that if I could teach my children to be kind, they would be good people.

Thanks for the childrearing advice, Mr. Vonnegut, and for the entertainment and inspiration. You and Steinbeck are still my favorite writers.